Latest news: September 22, 2011
Spill fine bill passes Senate committee; House agreement may be close
By George Altman, al.com. September 22, 2011.
“WASHINGTON — After making minor changes, a Senate committee on Wednesday passed a bill that would send 80 percent of oil spill fine money to Gulf Coast states…”
New tar balls on Gulf of Mexico beaches ‘come from BP oil spill’
By Rowena Mason, The Telegraph. September 21, 2011.
“Researchers from Auburn University found the environmental impact of the spill is continuing 17 months since oil leaked into the ocean, after an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon…”
Bill to steer BP oil spill fines to Gulf states passes committee
By Maria Recio, McClatchy Newspapers. September 21, 2011.
“A bipartisan effort to secure at least 80 percent of fines from the BP Gulf oil spill for the five Gulf Coast states – Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Texas – advanced Wednesday as the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the bill by voice vote…”
Louisiana Landrieu, Senators, Groups Applaud Passage Of Restore The Gulf Act
By Bayoubuzz Staff, BayouBuzz.com (Louisiana). September 21, 2011.
“Bipartisan legislation introduced by to dedicate at least 80 percent of BP penalties paid under the Clean Water Act to Gulf states to restore coastal ecosystems and rebuild local economies damaged by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill took an important step toward passage today with approval by a key Senate committee…”
Gulf of Mexico oil spill fine allocation gets bipartisan support in U.S. Senate committee
By Bruce Alpert, Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.). September 21, 2011.
“Legislation that would direct 80 percent of environmental fines from the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf states won approval Wednesday from a key Senate committee, but House efforts to develop a formula for distributing the money remain elusive. House members from five Gulf states failed to reach an agreement during negotiations Tuesday night. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, said he is hoping to reach consensus soon so that a House bill can be introduced…”